Does anyone ever really use any of the province decisions like "triumph", "plunder", "merchants", "roads", etc? I have not really bothered. I can't see why increasing the loyalty of a region 2% matters. Seems like a waste of EP. I want to think that try are an integral part of the game but they all seem pretty useless...except roads.

Roads and Water take along time..but yes I do do quite a few to spend those EP points..especially to get the loyalty going and most important keep the NM up as that effects how good your legions are..you'll have loads of surplus EP anyway if you don't use it up. I thought the same until I read an AAR and they are more important then you think.

Roads is useless except in very very long scenarios...

Trade posts and merchants are important..as is pacify and subversion etc.

Another use...town control. You have to garrison towns if the loyalty is below 50%. Some decisons can raise the loyalty 10% and only cost a few EP. Can't make them.too powerful because I doubt the AI can use them.